Margaret

About Margaret

UPDATE: I will be available for sitting positions in 2018 in the UK, where I feel so at home, from May 3 until August 28. My sister, Libby, will be joining me from June 13, 2018. In particular, we would welcome sits in Wales and southern England but would consider other counties as well.I am a retired secondary school teacher and non-smoker, wh...

UPDATE: I will be available for sitting positions in 2018 in the UK, where I feel so at home, from May 3 until August 28. My sister, Libby, will be joining me from June 13, 2018. In particular, we would welcome sits in Wales and southern England but would consider other counties as well.I am a retired secondary school teacher and non-smoker, who loves to travel. My interests include singing and gardening; as well as that I am a member of a Book Club and the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria. I am fit, active and love life, and am now enjoying a new and exciting phase in my life as a house and pet sitter. In November, 2017, I was awarded a "Super Sitter" certificate by TrustedHousesitters.I have been doing volunteer work for the past 7 years with the aged through our local hospital, Castlemaine Health, and have my police check through this organization.My sister, Libby, also a non-smoker, will accompany me sometimes on house/pet sitting assignments. She was a policewoman in her younger days. Like me, she is retired but does school crossing supervision as well as volunteer work at the Salvation Army Op Shop. She has police checks for these positions. She has a grown up family with 2 delightful little grandsons. Neither of us have pets at present. I have had cats for most of my life and they have usually lived until a ripe old age. I have also had budgies and goldfish. Although I have not owned a dog, I do have experience looking after them for family, friends and on house sitting assignments. Please be assured that your much loved pet/s and the security of your home would be my number one priority.I would welcome the opportunity to chat with you via Skype. Trusting strangers to look after your home and much loved pets can be rather daunting and I would hope that by communicating with me, your apprehension could be allayed.

Why I want to house sit

House/pet sitting offers a wonderful opportunity – to be able to travel whilst looking after someone else’s home and much loved pet/s. I much prefer to stay in self-catering accommodation than hotels. Far too often when travelling, I have wished to be able to stay for much longer in an area and become involved in the local community, which I was able to do on my house sits in Castle Hedingham and Marbury, UK. I miss having pets as they have been a large part of my life. House sitting allows me to spoil and enjoy the company of other people's much loved animals.Another reason I have chosen to house sit is because I used a house/pet sitter for the first time in 2015 when Libby and I travelled to the UK for 7 weeks. I was very apprehensive about a stranger living in my home and caring for my much loved, elderly 18 year old cat, Smudge, but I need not have had those fears. I am now able to allow others to enjoy their holidays, like I did, knowing there is a caring, trustworthy person there to look after their home and pets.

My experience

As a single person who has been a homeowner for over 30 years, I fully understand how important our home is to us and what is required to maintain it. I can follow instructions carefully and deal with any issues that may arise. I take pride in the appearance of my home and garden and I would keep your home clean and tidy, and, more importantly, secure. I am happy to water your pot plants and do a little gardening if required. For most of my life I have had a cat. Sadly, at the end of May 2016, I had to have my beautiful Smudge, aged nearly 19, put to sleep. She was very much a lap cat and slept on my bed, and I miss her greatly. I have some experience with dogs as I often cared for my sister's Jack Russell/Shih Tzu, Cotton. I help my elderly neighbours by walking their kelpie/border collie. On house/pet sitting assignments I have had the pleasure of looking after beautiful and lovely natured Labradors, a whippet, a kelpie/greyhound cross, spaniels, a gorgeous miniature schnauzer and a very lovable cavoodle, all whose company I thoroughly enjoyed. Libby and her family have had numerous dogs for pets, from a German shepherd to a silky terrier. I am a keen walker and so you can be sure your dog/s would receive plenty of lovely walks as we explore the area together. I would love and care for your pet/s with genuine affection. I hope you will consider me as a trustworthy person who will look after your home and much loved pets as though they were my own.

Reviews (37)

Karen - Aberystwyth, United Kingdom

01 August - 08 August 2018

Found Margaret and Libby very friendly, asked what we would like to be done, ie, garden, greenhouse, and then the likes and dislikes of the 2 cats. Saffy made herself comfy on their laps, when they sat down. Spice not a sociable cat, very nervous of strangers, but even she came in and ate while ... + More

Found Margaret and Libby very friendly, asked what we would like to be done, ie, garden, greenhouse, and then the likes and dislikes of the 2 cats. Saffy made herself comfy on their laps, when they sat down. Spice not a sociable cat, very nervous of strangers, but even she came in and ate while they were in the kitchen, which says a lot. Bungalow was clean and tidy. Would recommend them to anyone, we would certainly ask them to sit again for us.

Organised

Reliable

Self-sufficient

Tidy

Pet care

Response from Margaret

Thanks, Karen, for your kind review. Glad you were able to enjoy your holiday knowing all was well at home with Saffy and Spice.

- Less

Julie And John - Denbigh, United Kingdom

17 July - 31 July 2018

We could not have been more happier with Margaret and her sister who came to stay at our house in North Wales to look after our two very precious and spoilt cats, Snowball and Peaches. We were lucky enough to meet up with them the night before our departure and having had plenty of correspondenc... + More

We could not have been more happier with Margaret and her sister who came to stay at our house in North Wales to look after our two very precious and spoilt cats, Snowball and Peaches. We were lucky enough to meet up with them the night before our departure and having had plenty of correspondence beforehand, felt like they were old friends already. Our cats took to them straight away, and it was so great to be abroad for 2 weeks, knowing how well they were being taken care of. I received regular updates, pictures and videos, especially lovely was one of Peaches enjoying being brushed by Margaret! They were well fed and loved, and were perfectly happy when we returned, if anything it was like 'who are you?' They also let them sleep on their beds which is what they are used to, being the pampered cats they are. Margaret and her sister also fed all our wild birds regularly, as well as a little Feral cat who comes for food, as well as taking delivery of a large parcel and dismantling a gazebo that had blown down in the wind. They have a check list that they send to people in advance so they are fully prepared, and on our return home we found an immaculately clean house, stripped beds, laundry done and flowers and gifts! If you are lucky enough to have these true animal loving and caring house sitters to stay you will be very pleased. Highly recommended!

Organised

Reliable

Self-sufficient

Tidy

Pet care

Response from Margaret

Thank you, Julie, for such a glowing review. We loved staying in your beautiful home and caring for your most lovable pussy cats, Snowball and Peaches, and your 'adopted' wildlife!

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Angela - Southery, United Kingdom

30 June - 14 July 2018

Margaret and her sister Libby arrived a couple of hours before we left and immediately I felt comfortable leaving our home and cats in their care. They left our home clean and tidy, also Stanley and Betty Boo didn't appear to have missed us, so I know they were well cared for.We were much later ... + More

Margaret and her sister Libby arrived a couple of hours before we left and immediately I felt comfortable leaving our home and cats in their care. They left our home clean and tidy, also Stanley and Betty Boo didn't appear to have missed us, so I know they were well cared for.We were much later home than we intended due to traffic. When we arrived Margaret had left us milk, bread and a chicken pasta dish that was so appreciated as we did not have time to go shopping. They also left us a gift. some flowers and a very kind letter.We would very much like Margaret and Libby to sit for us again and would strongly recommend them.

Organised

Reliable

Self-sufficient

Tidy

Pet care

Response from Margaret

Thank you, Angela, for such a lovely review. We thoroughly enjoyed looking after Betty Boo and Stanley in your very comfortable bungalow and peaceful location.

- Less

View all Reviews (37)

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View all References (7)

About Margaret

UPDATE: I will be available for sitting positions in 2018 in the UK, where I feel so at home, from May 3 until August 28. My sister, Libby, will be joining me from June 13, 2018. In particular, we would welcome sits in Wales and southern England but would consider other counties as well.I am a retired secondary school teacher and non-smoker, who loves to travel. My interests include singing and gardening; as well as that I am a member of a Book Club and the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria. I am fit, active and love life, and am now enjoying a new and exciting phase in my life as a house and pet sitter. In November, 2017, I was awarded a "Super Sitter" certificate by TrustedHousesitters.I have been doing volunteer work for the past 7 years with the aged through our local hospital, Castlemaine Health, and have my police check through this organization.My sister, Libby, also a non-smok......

UPDATE: I will be available for sitting positions in 2018 in the UK, where I feel so at home, from May 3 until August 28. My sister, Libby, will be joining me from June 13, 2018. In particular, we would welcome sits in Wales and southern England but would consider other counties as well.I am a retired secondary school teacher and non-smoker, who loves to travel. My interests include singing and gardening; as well as that I am a member of a Book Club and the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria. I am fit, active and love life, and am now enjoying a new and exciting phase in my life as a house and pet sitter. In November, 2017, I was awarded a "Super Sitter" certificate by TrustedHousesitters.I have been doing volunteer work for the past 7 years with the aged through our local hospital, Castlemaine Health, and have my police check through this organization.My sister, Libby, also a non-smoker, will accompany me sometimes on house/pet sitting assignments. She was a policewoman in her younger days. Like me, she is retired but does school crossing supervision as well as volunteer work at the Salvation Army Op Shop. She has police checks for these positions. She has a grown up family with 2 delightful little grandsons. Neither of us have pets at present. I have had cats for most of my life and they have usually lived until a ripe old age. I have also had budgies and goldfish. Although I have not owned a dog, I do have experience looking after them for family, friends and on house sitting assignments. Please be assured that your much loved pet/s and the security of your home would be my number one priority.I would welcome the opportunity to chat with you via Skype. Trusting strangers to look after your home and much loved pets can be rather daunting and I would hope that by communicating with me, your apprehension could be allayed.

Why I want to house sit

House/pet sitting offers a wonderful opportunity – to be able to travel whilst looking after someone else’s home and much loved pet/s. I much prefer to stay in self-catering accommodation than hotels. Far too often when travelling, I have wished to be able to stay for much longer in an area and become involved in the local community, which I was able to do on my house sits in Castle Hedingham and Marbury, UK. I miss having pets as they have been a large part of my life. House sitting allows me to spoil and enjoy the company of other people's much loved animals.Another reason I have chosen to house sit is because I used a house/pet sitter for the first time in 2015 when Libby and I travelled to the UK for 7 weeks. I was very apprehensive about a stranger living in my home and caring for my much loved, elderly 18 year old cat, Smudge, but I need not have had those fears. I am now able to allow others to enjoy their holidays, like I did, knowing there is a caring, trustworthy person there to look after their home and pets.

My experience

As a single person who has been a homeowner for over 30 years, I fully understand how important our home is to us and what is required to maintain it. I can follow instructions carefully and deal with any issues that may arise. I take pride in the appearance of my home and garden and I would keep your home clean and tidy, and, more importantly, secure. I am happy to water your pot plants and do a little gardening if required. For most of my life I have had a cat. Sadly, at the end of May 2016, I had to have my beautiful Smudge, aged nearly 19, put to sleep. She was very much a lap cat and slept on my bed, and I miss her greatly. I have some experience with dogs as I often cared for my sister's Jack Russell/Shih Tzu, Cotton. I help my elderly neighbours by walking their kelpie/border collie. On house/pet sitting assignments I have had the pleasure of looking after beautiful and lovely natured Labradors, a whippet, a kelpie/greyhound cross, spaniels, a gorgeous miniature schnauzer and a very lovable cavoodle, all whose company I thoroughly enjoyed. Libby and her family have had numerous dogs for pets, from a German shepherd to a silky terrier. I am a keen walker and so you can be sure your dog/s would receive plenty of lovely walks as we explore the area together. I would love and care for your pet/s with genuine affection. I hope you will consider me as a trustworthy person who will look after your home and much loved pets as though they were my own.